From Hill Towns to High Peaks — Northern Italy Revealed
Learn MoreExperience the best of Northern Italy on this 9-day, 8-night journey from the rolling Prosecco hills to the dramatic Dolomites, the sparkling shores of Lake Garda, and the culinary capital of Bologna. Stay in 4-star accommodations in Treviso, on Lake Garda, and in Bologna. Highlights include a Prosecco wine tour with lunch, a day in the Dolomites with alpine tastings, an Amarone wine experience, and a private boat tour on Lake Garda. Explore Verona’s historic charm, visit Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar producers, and savor regional specialties in Bologna. Expert local guides lead immersive walking tours, while curated meals and tastings showcase each region’s flavors. With seamless transport, engaging hosts, and unforgettable landscapes, this tour offers a perfect balance of culture, cuisine, and scenic beauty.
The group will meet the tour leader at Venice airport. Once everyone is assembled, transfer together to Treviso where you will check into the 4-star Porta Altinia Suites, a historic building entirely restored, annexed to the Hotel Calton. At 6:00 PM, meet your tour leader for an orientation talk, followed by a stroll in Treviso’s town center, The day concludes as everyone gets further acquainted over a Welcome Dinner with wine at a traditional trattoria.
Accommodation Porta Altinia Suites Included Meals DinnerBegin the day with breakfast at the hotel before we drive to the Prosecco Wine Region to explore the picturesque countryside around Valdobbiadene, Santo Stefano, and Follo, a small community famous for the scenic Cartizze Hills. Stop in Valdobbiadene’s central piazza to opt for Sunday morning coffee and browse local wine shops. Next, we'll visit a boutique Prosecco winery for a tasting of four wines paired with a light lunch featuring salami, cheese, focaccia, and more. We continue our drive around the Prosecco wine region to the Molinetto della Croda, an ancient mill reachable on foot via a pleasant walk from the town of Refrantolo. We'll return to the hotel in Treviso by 5:30 PM, where you will have dinner on your own, with your tour leader's restaurant suggestions within walking distance of the hotel.
Accommodation Porta Altinia Suites Included Meals Breakfast, Wine Tasting with LunchAfter breakfast, the day starts with an 8:00 AM drive to the northern Veneto region and up to the Dolomites. We'll tour a small alpine village with a local expert guide to discover the local architecture and traditions and visit a dairy farm, partaking in a tasting of local cheeses and other products. We continue the drive on a scenic road up to Lake Misurina. Stretch your legs and take in the views as as you walk around the pristine alpine lake, known as the “pearl of the Dolomites”, at an elevation of about 5800 ft above sea level. Next, we drive to Cortina d’Ampezzo to stroll along the main street of this well-known alpine town with high-end fashion shops and traditional coffee bars. We head back to Treviso on a three hour drive, returning to the hotel at 7:00 PM. Dinner will be on your own, with local restaurant recommendations.
Accommodation Porta Altinia Suites Included Meals Breakfast, Food TastingAfter breakfast, we check out of the hotel in Treviso and begin the day with a morning drive to Bassano del Grappa where we'll take a walking tour with a local expert guide to explore the history of the covered bridge, medieval settlement, and WWI events related to the Italian Alpine Troops. Lunch will be on your own in Bassano del Grappa. We head next to Lake Garda's southern shores for a wine tasting at Cantine Zenato, featuring four local wines, including DOC Lugana and DOCG Amarone. Our journey continues on to Peschiera del Garda where we will check-in at the Enjoy Garda Hotel at 6:00 PM. Dinner is included at a local restaurant within walking distance from the hotel.
Accommodation Hotel Palazzo Della Scala Included Meals Breakfast, Wine Tasting, DinnerAfter breakfast at the hotel, we continue our time in Garda, but not by bus - instead, walking to the lake dock to board a private boat. Our private boat tour takes us around the exquisite southern shores of Lake Garda, with a view of Isola del Garda. Next, we'll explore the charming, historic town of Sirmione on foot, then continue to a second town (TBD). You'll have free time to enjoy lunch on your own, with provided recommendations. In the late afternoon, we'll return to Peschiera where dinner will be on your own, with local restaurant recommendations
Accommodation Hotel Palazzo Della Scala Included Meals BreakfastBegin the day with breakfast at the hotel before a mid-morning scenic drive to Verona. Upon arrival, a local expert guide will lead us on a walking tour of Verona, which offers a blend of ancient history, artistic heritage, and vibrant city life. We'll continue on to savor a group lunch. Enjoy free time on your own in afternoon to further explore Verona’s charm at your leisure. At 5:00 PM, we head back to Lake Garda. where you will have the evening free to enjoy dinner on your own in Peschiera, with local restaurant recommendations.
Accommodation Hotel Palazzo Della Scala Included Meals Breakfast, LunchAfter breakfast and check out of the hotel, we'll embark on an 8:00 AM scenic drive to the countryside around Modena. We'll visit a Parmesan cheese producer to taste three different aged cheese varieties. Next, we continue on with a short drive to a balsamic vinegar producer for a tour the aging cellar and to sample traditional Emilia region products, including aged balsamic vinegars. We arrive in Bologna and check into Hotel Carlton for a two-night stay, steps away from all the local attractions. In the early evening, join an orientation walk with your tour leader. Conclude your night and enjoy dinner on your own in Bologna, known as the "foodie" capital of Italy.
Accommodation Hotel Carlton Included Meals Breakfast, LunchAfter breakfast, take in Bologna's rich history and medieval charm on a morning walking tour with a local expert guide. Next, we'll dine together at a Farewell lunch featuring a tasting of traditional lasagna and tortellini. Afterwards, at your own pace, enjoy your last afternoon and dinner in lively Bologna.
Accommodation Hotel Carlton Included Meals Breakfast, LunchGuests will have breakfast at the hotel prior to check out, then we'll bid arrivederci before you transfer on your own to Bologna airport.
Included Meals Breakfast
At Crush Wine Experiences, our mission is to introduce you to your favorite craft winery or distillery.
Prosecco Superiore DOCG – Italy’s highest classification for Prosecco, made exclusively from Glera grapes grown on steep, hand-harvested hills.
Smaller production, higher quality – Wines here are more complex, aromatic, and refined than mass-market Prosecco.
Superiore di Cartizze – The most prestigious sub-zone, often called the “Grand Cru of Prosecco,” known for richer texture and layered flavors.
Cortina d’Ampezzo, the elegant “Queen of the Dolomites,” blends dramatic alpine scenery with Italian sophistication—think luxury mountain living, chic cafés, and a storied Olympic legacy.
The Dolomites (UNESCO World Heritage Site) deliver some of Europe’s most breathtaking landscapes, from jagged limestone peaks and emerald alpine lakes to iconic vistas like Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
A cultural and culinary crossroads, where Italian, Austrian, and Ladin traditions meet—featuring hearty alpine cuisine, refined Northern Italian wines, and unforgettable mountain hospitality.
Lakeside Beauty & Storybook Towns – Discover Italy’s largest lake, framed by Alpine peaks and dotted with elegant villages like Sirmione and Bardolino, where medieval castles, Roman ruins, and waterfront promenades set the scene.
Wines, Olive Groves & Local Flavors – Taste regional wines including Lugana and Bardolino, sample prized Garda olive oil, and enjoy the lake’s unique microclimate that blends Alpine freshness with Mediterranean warmth.
Relaxed Italian Lifestyle – Soak in the easy rhythm of lake life with scenic drives, café-lined piazzas, optional boat cruises, and time to simply savor la dolce vita along the water.
Italy’s Culinary Capital: Discover the birthplace of tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini, and mortadella, with time to explore lively food markets and traditional trattorias that define Emilia-Romagna’s legendary cuisine.
Historic & Intellectual Heart: Stroll beneath Bologna’s UNESCO-listed porticoes and soak in the atmosphere of Europe’s oldest university city, where medieval towers, grand piazzas, and scholarly traditions shape daily life.
Authentic Italian Rhythm: Enjoy a city that feels genuinely local—less touristed than Florence—while serving as the perfect gateway to Parma, Modena, and the world-famous food and wine treasures of northern Italy.
Sam Kimball is not just a sommelier; he’s a storyteller. With years of experience and a deep passion for Italian wines and regional cuisine, he’ll guide you through the art and science of wine tasting across Northern Italy. From the world-class Prosecco of Valdobbiadene to elegant Garda DOC wines and Emilia-Romagna’s food-driven classics, you’ll experience how place, tradition, and culture shape every glass.
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John G. My wife and I had a great experience traveling to Italy on a wine tour with Crush Wine Experiences. The trip was well organized and we had a great sampling of Italys history, farms and vineyards. We had free time in each area we visited to check out the culture and shops.We had a great group and made some new friends.This intimate tour is definitely a highlight of our travel experience this year.
Laurene M. This was my 5th trip with Sam and Crush Wine Experiences. The small group size, knowledgeable tour and local guides; as well as itineraries that immerse you in the food, wine and culture of each destination makes every trip unique. Looking forward to the next adventure!
Bret F. Sam did an incredible job of organizing and leading this trip. We were able to experience fantastic food & wines from wonderful vineyards, farms, and restaurants. We visited multiple localities with knowledgeable guides that provided interesting insights. We learned so much about wines, art, the local culture and history. It was so much fun that we have already booked another trip next year.
